Small households with limited space
You mainly prepare one or two portions, side dishes or quick meals. Que Choisir recommends a capacity of 3 to 4 l for one or two people, provided your usual dishes genuinely fit in the basket.
Which households are they for?
Meals with a main and a side
Two compartments can be useful when you need to cook, for example, a protein and vegetables at different temperatures or for different lengths of time. However, check the capacity of each drawer, not just the advertised total capacity.
Families and larger batches
For family-sized portions, bulky ingredients or several recipes in one session, Que Choisir recommends at least 6 l for four people and preferably 9 l or more for more than five people. The appliance’s footprint then becomes a key consideration.
Buying priorities
Start by considering the shape and size of your usual meals, then check the available space and cleaning requirements before comparing programmes.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the capacity of each basket, the internal dimensions and compatibility with your tins, quiches or roasting joints. With a dual-drawer model, check whether each zone is large enough for the main dish. | I want my usual portions to fit without having to cook multiple batches. The guidelines published by Que Choisir range from 3 to 4 l for one or two people to a minimum of 6 l for four people. |
| Simultaneous cooking | Check whether the temperatures and cooking times can be set independently, whether the cooking can be synchronised to finish at the same time and whether you can use just one zone for a small preparation. | I want to serve a main dish and its side together, even when they require different settings. Two separate drawers do not necessarily replace one large single cavity. |
| Space and maintenance | Measure the storage and operating space, allow the clearance specified in the instructions and compare noise levels where independent measurements are available. Also check access to the heating element and the removable parts. | I want to use the appliance in an open-plan kitchen without permanently taking over the worktop or making cleaning after meals more difficult. |
Mistakes to avoid before buying
-
Relying on the ‘XXL’ label or total capacity
Two drawers can be practical for two recipes, but they do not necessarily create one large zone suitable for a tin, dish or bulky joint. Usable capacity determines what you can actually cook.
Make a list of your most frequently prepared dishes and check the internal dimensions, number of drawers and capacity of each zone before placing your order.
-
Assuming an air fryer automatically replaces an oven
Both appliances cover similar cooking functions. According to Que Choisir, an air fryer used 36% less electricity on average than a mini oven when cooking a small quiche of the same quantity, but this result does not apply to every recipe or larger batches.
Keep your oven or mini oven as the go-to appliance for large dishes, cooking on several levels and containers that will not fit inside a compact cavity.
-
Overlooking noise and placement
The fan can be disruptive in an open-plan kitchen, while a large model may take up a significant amount of worktop space. Que Choisir includes noise in its air-fryer assessments.
Measure the operating and storage area, follow the ventilation clearances specified in the instructions and look for independent noise measurements if quiet operation is important to you.
-
Reducing maintenance to dishwasher compatibility
Residue can reach the bowl, interior and heating element. Metal or abrasive tools may damage the coatings.
Check access to the heating element, which parts are genuinely dishwasher-safe and the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Philips specifically recommends allowing the appliance to cool before cleaning it.
Air-fryer brand guide
Philips
In France, Philips offers single-basket, stacked-drawer and modular designs for everything from everyday portions to larger meals.
- The NA461/00 and NA565/02 models demonstrate dual-zone configurations or designs that can be converted into one large zone, according to Philips’ specifications.
- Dimensions, noise levels and cleaning requirements should be checked for the specific model rather than inferred from the range as a whole.
Moulinex
Moulinex offers dual-drawer air fryers designed for complete meals and larger quantities.
- Moulinex states that its compartments can use different temperatures and cooking times; the Easy Fry Dual XXL EZ942BF0 features two drawers with capacities of 6.5 l and 4.5 l.
- A high total capacity does not remove the need to check the overall footprint and the size of each drawer for your usual dishes.
Ninja
Alongside Philips and Moulinex, Ninja is one of the brands compared in Que Choisir’s French product test.
- The brand offers, among other options, dual-zone appliances for preparing food with separate settings.
- Being included in a test does not prove overall superiority: noise, performance and ease of maintenance must be assessed model by model.
Joybuy products for everyday meals
These Joybuy options include single-basket, dual-compartment and large-capacity air fryers, helping you match cooking to your portions, simultaneous recipes and available space.
Image unavailable
12 QT modular dual-basket air fryer
For households switching between large batches and meals made up of two preparations.
Convertible capacity of 12 l or two 6 l zones, with SYNC and DUAL functions, a viewing window and components advertised as dishwasher-safe. Check that the main dish fits into a 6 l zone when the divider is in place; this model is not suitable for soups, sauces or stews.
Image unavailable
COSORI TF101S Dual Blaze Twinfry 10 L
For switching from a two-recipe meal to one large cooking zone.
Convertible 10 l cavity or two 5 l zones, with an advertised temperature range of 35 to 240 °C. Its stated dimensions are 33.8 × 51.8 × 31.3 cm; check the clearance specified in the instructions and the cleaning procedure before buying.
Image unavailable
Ninja Dual Zone Digital Air Fryer DZ400EU, 9.5 L
For cooking a main dish and a side with separate cooking times or temperatures.
Two independent 4.75 l drawers, six functions and digital controls for each zone. The non-stick drawers and crisping plates are advertised as dishwasher-safe; the two zones remain separate, making them unsuitable for large tins or single large dishes.
Image unavailable
Ninja Dual Zone Digital Air Fryer DZ300EU, 7.6 L
For cooking two foods with different settings when each portion fits in a basket.
Two independent 3.8 l drawers, six functions and digital controls for each zone. The non-stick drawers and crisping plates are advertised as dishwasher-safe; check that your portions and food shapes fit in each drawer.
Image unavailable
KITCHENCOOK AIRMED7W 7 L air fryer
For those who prefer one generously sized cavity rather than two separate drawers.
Advertised 7 l capacity, seven programmes, cooking window, removable non-stick basket and automatic shut-off when the basket is removed. A single basket cannot run two different settings at the same time; also check the internal dimensions for your usual tins and ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
Which everyday meals are suitable for an air fryer?
Que Choisir’s French tests cover frozen chips, chicken drumsticks, bread rolls, a quiche and a cake up to 16 cm in diameter, among other dishes. These examples are suitable for small to medium-sized preparations, but always check the basket’s internal dimensions for your dishes and tins.
Can an air fryer replace an oven or mini oven?
Not automatically. It can cook, roast and grill, but an oven is still better suited to large dishes, bulky containers and cooking on several levels. For a small quiche of the same quantity, Que Choisir recorded average electricity consumption that was 36% lower than that of a mini oven; this result depends on the recipe, quantity and cooking time.
How do I choose between a single basket and two compartments?
Choose a single basket for one main preparation or modest portions in one cavity. Two compartments are useful for cooking foods with different times or temperatures in parallel, provided each drawer is large enough for the intended preparation.
Which cleaning features should I check?
Check that the basket and bowl are removable, the dishwasher-safety conditions and how to access the heating element. Philips recommends allowing the appliance to cool for around 30 minutes, using a non-abrasive sponge and avoiding metal utensils or abrasive products on non-stick coatings.
How should I manage noise and worktop space?
The fan deserves particular attention in an open-plan kitchen or small space. Measure the area with the appliance both closed and open, compare independent measurements where available, and follow the clearances and surfaces specified in the instructions for your chosen model.